Silly Season speculation

[AndyL]

Its interesting isn't it. Most likely the second driver will be decided following the resolution of power struggles at McLaren. If Dennis gets his way its probably Fernando and Button as he tries to get the two best drivers available and lets other teams train up youngsters. The problem is that Dennis hasn't fulfilled his promises of getting someone to fund his buyout of the Bahraini investors that bought their way into the team so may not be around to make that driver decision. If Honda gets their way Button may well end up being dropped as they don't rate him that highly but that depends on how Magnussen is rated within the team, whether he is seen as being able to outperform Jenson in his second F1 season consistently.

Interesting, your assessment of where Button's support lies is the opposite of what I would have thought. Ron Dennis has said some unfavourable things about him recently, giving the impression that Button doesn't have Ron's backing. While I'd expect Honda to be more keen on him given that he reputedly has a positive profile in Japan, was employed by Honda or a Honda backed team for many years previously, and is the only guy to have won a the championship in a car developed by them.

[Malbec]

Interesting, your assessment of where Button's support lies is the opposite of what I would have thought. Ron Dennis has said some unfavourable things about him recently, giving the impression that Button doesn't have Ron's backing. While I'd expect Honda to be more keen on him given that he reputedly has a positive profile in Japan, was employed by Honda or a Honda backed team for many years previously, and is the only guy to have won a the championship in a car developed by them.

I don't know whether Dennis personally rates Button or not, I am just assuming that Button would be the best available driver to partner Alonso given the top drivers are all contracted elsewhere, and Dennis seems to care only about having the best two drivers he can get his hands on.

From what I understand Button does really like Japan but the reverse is not true. F1 is a minority interest sport in Japan and Button hasn't been marketed there with as much vigour as, say, Alonso or Hamilton so there is little public awareness of who he is. The same is apparently true of the Japanese drivers like Sato and Kobayashi who aren't/weren't marketable, certainly not compared to football players.

As for Honda's attitude towards Button I believe they feel he was the best driver they could get their hands on at the time when they weren't a top performing team in the 2000's and doesn't rate as highly as someone like Alonso. When Alonso consistently finishes badly you know that the car is at fault, not the driver. You can't always say the same for Button. Also I believe that his attempted escape to Williams hasn't been forgotten nor forgiven....

[jens]

My personal interpretation is that if there was any preference, then Dennis -> Magnussen, Honda -> Button.

Magnussen is McLaren's junior driver and Ron Dennis' personal project, much like Hamilton was. Arguably last year it was Ron Dennis, who pushed for Magnussen to replace Pérez. I think it could be hard for him to drop his investment now, while I believe the in-coming Honda doesn't care that much.

On the flipside when Ron Dennis was McLaren's team principal, he never hired Button nor even considered him from what I can recall. Silly season rumours were always linked with other drivers having a shot at McLaren seats. Button was hired for 2010 only, when Dennis wasn't TP any more...

Honda wants publicity more and two WDC's in the same team could bring them quite a lot of attention. They have been pretty desperate to push Dennis to hire top drivers, so that even the former "enemy" Alonso is about to join McLaren. Vettel was also under consideration. Button, as the other two, is also a WDC, and might be some interest to Honda. In addition to their former co-operation.

[steveaki13]

Sounds like Button is not going to just driver for Caterham for the sake of it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29660644

[Tazio]

Hey , Tazmo , Zo said no Merc , and Seb said you'll understand why he can't say .
It's too big .

Wacky days ahead have a Green team closing , but how good would it be to have a "B" team as a test hog to the big US entry ?
Think big , Tazzy Bear , think big as Texas , where it would be a good place for an announcement , if you thought you might want to make a splash .

Ok Baggie you've sucked me in. At the U.S. Grand Prix, Fred will announce he will drive for Haas in 2016. His partner will be decided in testing between Montoya, and Jacques, with the loser getting the test seat!

[airshifter]

Ok Baggie you've sucked me in. At the U.S. Grand Prix, Fred will announce he will drive for Haas in 2016. His partner will be decided in testing between Montoya, and Jacques, with the loser getting the test seat!

Alonso to Haas wouldn't be all that crazy. The Ferrari engine is already stronger than the Renault, and Haas has a better chance at getting the chassis right than Ferrari probably do.

As for Montoya and Jacques, probably about the same chance as Danica getting an F1 ride.

[Hawkmoon]

Alonso is going to Mercedes to replace Hamilton (can't announce it now because it might destabilize Mercedes as the title battle draws to a conclusion).

Vettel to Ferrari to replace Alonso.

Hamilton to Ferrari to replace Raikkonen.

Raikkonen to McLaren to replace Button.

Button to Williams to replace Massa.

Massa to Sauber or retirement.

I'll accept your wondrous applause when I'm proven right just after the season ends.

[Bagwan]

Ok Baggie you've sucked me in. At the U.S. Grand Prix, Fred will announce he will drive for Haas in 2016. His partner will be decided in testing between Montoya, and Jacques, with the loser getting the test seat!

Don't be crazy , Tazmo . You know JV and Juan Pablum don't get along .

And , don't be getting that new tat before the Austin race , because you've already got the right one .

[Tazio]

Don't be crazy , Tazmo . You know JV and Juan Pablum don't get along .

And , don't be getting that new tat before the Austin race , because you've already got the right one .

It's a little late for that dawg!

[donKey jote]

Atsuga VM